Vilnius rally shows support for Belarusian political prisoners

A solidarity rally held in Vilnius on Thursday expressed support for political prisoners in Belarus, honouring their struggle under the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, LRT reports.

Dozens gathered at Cathedral Square to chant “Long live Belarus!” and read aloud the names of over 800 known political detainees. Organisers stressed that the true number remains unknown, potentially two to five times higher than official figures.

The event also commemorated Vitold Ashurak, a political prisoner killed five years ago in a Belarusian jail on May 21. Attendees viewed an exhibition of artwork created by former political prisoners in Belarusian penal colonies, alongside pieces by Belarusian artists—including Pavel Seviarynets, Andrei Voynich, and anonymous contributors—supporting democratic values.

Belarus has faced mass repression since the disputed 2020 presidential election, which Lukashenko claimed to win for a sixth consecutive term. The opposition and Western governments reject his legitimacy, and Minsk remains under international sanctions.